Notification of charging rate adjustments in regions of a mobile network to control bandwidth usage in the regions

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are disclosed that notify end users of mobile devices of charging rate adjustments within a mobile network. A rate notification system receives bandwidth usage data for the mobile network, and identifies a region within the mobile network having a bandwidth usage that exceeds a threshold. The bandwidth usage is processed per media type (i.e., voice calls, text messages, etc) based on the bandwidth usage data. The rate notification system then identifies a mobile device located within the region, and identifies one or more contacts of the end user of the mobile device. The rate notification system then identifies an adjusted charging rate per contact per media type for this end user, and provides the adjusted charging rates to the end user of the mobile device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/320,108 filed on Nov. 11, 2011, which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is related to the field of communications and, inparticular, to bandwidth usage in mobile networks.

2. Statement of the Problem Mobile networks, such as CDMA networks orGSM networks, are used for communication through a variety of mediatypes. For example, the mobile networks are commonly used for voicecalls, email, text messaging, multimedia messaging, Instant Messaging(IM), etc. To allow for effective communications, service providersdesign and implement the mobile networks to have a high enough bandwidthcapacity. The service providers would optimally like to utilize asignificant portion of the bandwidth of the mobile network withoutoverloading the mobile network. An optimal utilization of the bandwidthof the mobile network results in the service providers obtaining highrevenues without undue congestion or Quality of Service (QoS) issues.

One problem encountered by service providers is that certain regions ofa mobile network may encounter periods of inactivity where the bandwidthusage is below some desired threshold. For example, one or more regionsmay have reduced bandwidth usage during late evenings, on Thursdaymornings, on the last five days before a billing period, etc. Theseperiods of inactivity represent lost revenue to the service providers.

Another problem is overloading regions of a mobile network. For example,if there is a big event in a town (e.g., a Presidential inauguration),then this region of the mobile network may be overloaded with voicecalls, picture messages, text messages, etc. When regions of the mobilenetwork become overloaded, the switches or other network elementshandling these regions may shut down causing a temporary loss ofcommunications.

It may be desirable to control bandwidth utilization of a mobile networkby influencing how the end users of the mobile network initiatecommunications.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein are able to notify end users in regions ofa mobile network of adjusted charging rates. The notifications areintended to influence whether or not the end users initiatecommunications in these regions. For instance, if the bandwidth usage ina region is below a threshold, then end users in this region may benotified of a reduced charging rate to encourage the end users toinitiate communications. If the bandwidth usage in a region is above athreshold (i.e., approaching overload), then end users in this regionmay be notified of an increased charging rate to discourage the endusers from initiating communications. By notifying the end users of theadjusted charging rates, the bandwidth usage in particular regions ofthe mobile network can be raised or lowered over a time period. Thus,service providers can advantageously maintain more optimal bandwidthusage across the mobile network, which increases revenue to the serviceprovider while avoiding overload conditions.

In one embodiment, a rate notification system is implemented in a mobilenetwork to notify end users of mobile devices of charging rateadjustments. The rate notification system includes an interface systemand a control system. The interface system is operable to receivebandwidth usage data for a mobile network. The bandwidth usage dataincludes media type descriptions indicating the media used to consume oruse the bandwidth of the mobile network. For example, the bandwidthusage data may indicate the number of voice calls handled, the number oftext messages handled, the number of multimedia messages handled, etc.The control system is operable to identify a region within the mobilenetwork having a bandwidth usage that exceeds a threshold for one ormore media types based on the bandwidth usage data. For example, thecontrol system may identify a region that has low bandwidth usage forvoice calls, or may identify a region that has high bandwidth usage fortext messages. The control system is further operable to identify amobile device located in the region, and identify one or more contactsof the end user of the mobile device.

For example, the contacts of an end user may be identified from acontact list, a network-based phonebook, etc. The control system isfurther operable to identify an adjusted charging rate for communicatingwith one or more of the contacts using the media type(s). The interfacesystem is further operable to provide the adjusted charging rates to themobile device so that the end user may view the adjusted charging rates.This may occur for multiple contacts of the end user, and for multiplemedia types. Thus, rate notification system provides adjusted chargingrates per contact per media type for the mobile device found to belocated in the region of the mobile network. Based on the adjustedcharging rates, the end user of the mobile device can decide whether ornot to initiate communications with one or more of the contacts.

Other exemplary embodiments may be described below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way ofexample only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The samereference number represents the same element or the same type of elementon all drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile network in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rate notification system in an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of notifying end users ofmobile devices of charging rate adjustments in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a CDMA network in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a message diagram illustrating notification of adjustedcharging rates in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates adjusted charging rates displayed to an end user inan exemplary embodiment.

Description of Embodiments

The figures and the following description illustrate specific exemplaryembodiments of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that thoseskilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that,although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principlesof the invention and are included within the scope of the invention.Furthermore, any examples described herein are intended to aid inunderstanding the principles of the invention, and are to be construedas being without limitation to such specifically recited examples andconditions. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specificembodiments or examples described below, but by the claims and theirequivalents.

FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile network 100 in an exemplary embodiment.Mobile network 100 comprises any network that provides mobilecommunications, such as a GSM network, a CDMA network, a UMTS network,etc. Mobile network 100 includes a Radio Access Network (RAN) 102, aserving network element 104, a rate notification system 106, and arating engine 110. RAN 102 comprises any radio or wireless network thatinterfaces a mobile device with a core network (represented by servingnetwork element 104 in FIG. 1). In this embodiment, RAN 102 includes aplurality of base stations 112 each providing a service area referred toas a cell 113. Base stations 112 are each connected to base stationcontrol node 114, which is operable to manage and control the functionsof base stations 112. One example of base station control node 114comprises a Base Station Controller (BSC). Those skilled in the art willappreciate that RAN 102 may include many more base stations 112 thanillustrated in FIG. 1. There may be one or more mobile devices withinthe service area of RAN 102, one of which is illustrated in FIG. 1 asmobile device 130. Mobile device 130 comprises any device operable tocommunicate via wireless signals, such as a mobile phone, a PDA, a PC, amobile VoIP phone, etc.

Base station control node 114 connects to serving network element 104over some type of circuit-switched or packet-switched backhaul network(not shown). Serving network element 104 represents a core network, sucha GSM Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), an IP Multimedia Subsystem(IMS) network, etc. Serving network element 104 comprises any switch,server, or other device in the core network that serves mobile devicesto setup and tear down sessions. For instance, serving network element104 may comprise an MSC in a circuit-switch network (e.g., GSM PLMN), ormay comprise a Call Session Control Function (CSCF) in a packet-switchedIMS network.

Serving network element 104 further connects to rate notification system106. Rate notification system 106 comprises any system, server, orcomponent operable to notify end users of mobile devices of chargingrate adjustments. Rate notification system 106 is able to identify oneor more regions within mobile network 100 having low bandwidth usage orhigh bandwidth usage, and notify one or more mobile devices within theregion(s) of an adjusted charging rate for communications via differentmedia types (e.g., voice call, email, text message, multimedia message,Instant Message (IM)). A more thorough description of the operation ofrate notification system 106 is described in relation to FIG. 3.

Base station control node 114 and rate notification system 106 alsoconnect to a packet data network 108. A packet data network 108comprises any packet-switched network that transports data (as opposedto voice). Although not shown, base station control node 114 may connectto packet data network 108 through another node, such as a Packet DataServing Node (PDSN) in a CDMA/EVDO network, an SGSN/GGSN in a GSM/UMTSnetwork, or a S-GW/PDN-GW in an LTE/EPC network.

Rate notification system 106 also connects to rating engine 110. Ratingengine 110 comprises any device, system, or server operable to generatea charging rate for a communication, such as a charging rate for a voicecall, a text message, a multimedia message, etc. Rating engine 110 maybe a stand-alone element as illustrated in FIG. 1, or may be implementedwithin another network element, such as in serving network element 104,or in a charging application (not shown).

FIG. 2 illustrates rate notification system 106 in an exemplaryembodiment. In this embodiment, rate notification system 106 includes aninterface system 202 and a control system 204. Interface system 202comprises any device, component, or system operable to transmit andreceive data regarding bandwidth usage in a mobile network. Controlsystem 204 comprises any device, component, or system operable toprocess bandwidth usage data, and notify mobile devices of charging rateadjustments based on the bandwidth usage data.

In FIG. 1, assume for the following embodiments that mobilecommunications are occurring within mobile network 100. For example,mobile devices within the service area of RAN 102 may be placing orreceiving voice calls, exchanging email, exchanging text messages,exchanging multimedia messages, exchanging IM's, etc. Base stationcontrol node 114 and/or base stations 112 collect or generate data thatindicates utilization of bandwidth within mobile network 100. The datathat indicates utilization of bandwidth is referred to herein asbandwidth usage data. The bandwidth usage data may be defined by “mediatype”. In other words, the bandwidth usage data includes a media typedescription indicating the media used to consume or use the bandwidth.The bandwidth usage data may thus be processed to identify bandwidthutilization per media type. For example, the bandwidth usage data mayinclude a number of voice calls per minute, where the media type is“voice call”. In another example, the bandwidth usage data may include anumber of text messages handled per minute, where the media type is“text message”. This bandwidth usage data is thus available to othersystems of mobile network 100, such as rate notification system 106.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method 300 of notifying end usersof mobile devices of charging rate adjustments in an exemplaryembodiment. The steps of method 300 will be described with reference tomobile network 100 in FIG. 1 and rate notification system 106 in FIG. 2,but those skilled in the art will appreciate that method 300 may beperformed in other networks and systems. Also, the steps of the flowchart in FIG. 3 are not all inclusive and may include other steps notshown, and the steps may be performed in an alternative order.

In step 302, interface system 202 (of rate notification system 106)receives bandwidth usage data for mobile network 100. Interface system202 may receive the bandwidth usage data from serving network element104, base station control node 114, base stations 112, and/or anothersystem not shown in FIG. 1. For example, base station control node 114and other base station control nodes (not shown) may store bandwidthusage data for each region they serve. The base station control nodesmay then report the bandwidth usage data to serving network element 104,where the bandwidth usage data indicates usage per media type. Servingnetwork element 104 may then report the bandwidth usage data to ratenotification system 106.

In step 304, control system 204 identifies a region within mobilenetwork 100 having a bandwidth usage that exceeds a threshold based onthe bandwidth usage data. A region comprises any area or zone within theservice area of mobile network 100 having a particular bandwidth usage(e.g., a low usage or high usage). As an example, a region may comprisethe area served by the plurality of base stations 112 shown in FIG. 1. Aregion may alternatively comprise the area served by a single basestation 112 shown in FIG. 1.

The region is identified based on bandwidth usage that exceeds athreshold “per media type”. For example, control system 204 identifies aregion having a bandwidth usage for voice calls that exceeds a thresholdfor voice calls, identifies a region having a bandwidth usage for textmessages that exceeds a threshold for text messages, etc. The bandwidthusage that is identified for the region may be a low bandwidth usage ora high bandwidth usage. For example, a service provider may define athreshold for a minimum bandwidth usage, and may define a threshold fora maximum bandwidth usage. Control system 204 may then monitor mobilenetwork 100 based on the bandwidth usage data to identify if a region ofmobile network 100 reaches or exceeds the minimum bandwidth usage or themaximum bandwidth usage. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatcontrol system 204 may identify multiple regions within mobile network100 having a bandwidth usage that exceeds a threshold.

Responsive to control system 204 identifying a region within mobilenetwork 100 that has a bandwidth usage that exceeds a threshold, controlsystem 204 determines whether the region is eligible for a charging rateadjustment. Control system 204 may process rules and policies defined bythe service provider to determine whether or not certain regions areeligible for charging rate adjustments. If the region is eligible, thencontrol system 204 identifies a mobile device (such as mobile device 130in FIG. 1) located in the region in step 306. Control system 204 mayidentify that mobile device 130 is located within the identified regionin a variety of ways. For example, control system 204 may query alocation server (not shown) to identify that mobile device 130 islocated within the region. Alternatively, the bandwidth usage data mayindicate that mobile device 130 is located within the region. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that control system 204 may identifymultiple mobile devices located within the region of mobile network 100.

In step 308, control system 204 identifies one or more contacts of anend user of the mobile device 130. A contact comprises a person orentity having information defined which allows the end user tocommunicate with the person or entity, such as a name, email address,physical address, directory number, and/or other pertinent information.Contacts are generally stored in what is referred to as a “contact list”or a “buddy list”. The contact list may be stored on mobile device 130,and thus, control system 204 may receive the contact list from mobiledevice 130. Alternatively, the contact list may be stored in anetwork-based phonebook provided by mobile network 100 or a third party,and thus, control system 204 may access the network-based phonebook toobtain the contact list for the end user of mobile device 130.

In step 310, control system 204 identifies an adjusted charging rate forcommunicating with one or more of the contacts using a particular mediatype for a time period. In times where bandwidth usage reaches orexceeds a threshold, the service provider may adjust charging rates fora time period. For example, if bandwidth usage is below a threshold,then the service provider may adjust the charging rates downward toencourage communication. If bandwidth usage is above a threshold, thenthe service provider may adjust the charging rates upward to discouragecommunication and avoid overload conditions.

These charging rate adjustments are programmed into rating engine 110.Thus, control system 204 may access or query rating engine 110 toidentify the adjusted charging rates. In accessing rating engine 110,control system 204 may first identify a location of a contact, and alsoidentify a media type for communicating with the contact, as well asbandwidth usage data/threshold indicator. Control system 204 thengenerates a query that includes the location information and the mediatype, and transmits the query to rating engine 110. Rating engine 110then responds to the query with an adjusted charging rate for thecontact based on the suggested media type. Control system 204 mayoperate in a similar manner to identify an adjusted charging rate for aplurality of media types regarding an individual contact, and may alsodetermine one or more charging rates for some or all of the contacts inthe contact list of the end user. Some of the contacts may not beeligible for an adjusted charging rate. Thus, control system 204identifies the adjusted charging rates for the eligible contacts in thecontact list.

The charging rates may be adjusted to control the utilization ofbandwidth within mobile network 100. For example, if the bandwidth usageof the region is below a threshold, then the adjusted charging rate mayrepresent a reduced charging rate to encourage the end user of mobiledevice 130 to initiate a communication with a contact (using one of themedia types). If the bandwidth usage of the region is above a threshold,then the adjusted charging rate may represent an increased charging rateto discourage the end user of mobile device 130 to initiate acommunication with a contact (using one of the media types).

In step 312, interface system 202 provides the adjusted charging rate(s)for communicating with one or more of the contacts on a per media typebasis. If the end user of mobile device 130 has a plurality of contactsin a contact list, then the end user may be able to view the adjustedcharging rates for communicating with one or more of the contacts duringa time period. The adjusted charging rates may be provided to the enduser in the form of a text/multimedia message sent to mobile device 130.For example, the text/multimedia message may state “You can call Contact#1 for 2¢ per minute for the next two hours”. The adjusted chargingrates may alternatively be provided to the end user in their contactlist. For example, the contact list may show the contact name and anassociated charging rate for communicating with that contact per mediatype.

The adjusted charging rate may be provided to the end user in a varietyof other ways. For example, rate notification system 106 may send amessage to mobile device 130 responsive to identifying that mobiledevice 130 is located within a region of low bandwidth usage or highbandwidth usage. The message may include a notification that chargingrates will be adjusted for a time period. The message may additionallyor alternatively include an encoded service indication, such as ateleservice ID, which is configured to cause mobile device 130 tocontact control system 204 over packet data network 108. For instance,the service indication may include a URL for a mobile web page whichinterface system 202 has generated for the end user of mobile device130. The web page includes adjusted charging rates for communicatingwith one or more contacts of the end user. The service indication thuscauses mobile device 130 to access the web page through the URL. Basedon the service indication, mobile device 130 contacts rate adjustmentsystem 106 over packet data network 108, and accesses the adjustedcharging rates for communicating with one or more contacts in thecontact list. Mobile device 130 may then display the adjusted chargingrates to the end user. The end user may then decide whether or not toinitiate a communication (via a particular media type) with one or moreof the contacts based on the adjusted charging rates.

Interface system 202 may alternatively send the adjusted charging ratesto mobile device 130 in a message, such as a text message, a multimediamessage, etc.

Advantageously, a service provider may attempt to control bandwidthusage within mobile network 100 through the charging rate notificationsdescribed above. If bandwidth usage of voice calls is high in a region,then the service provider may notify mobile devices in this region ofhigher charging rates for initiating voice calls with one or more of thecontacts in his/her contact list. This notification will hopefullydiscourage end users from placing voice calls for a time period, whichavoids overloading mobile network 100. If bandwidth usage of textmessaging is low in a region, then the service provider may notifymobile devices in this region of lower charging rates for initiatingtext messages with one or more of the contacts in his/her contact list.This notification will hopefully encourage end users to send textmessages for a time period, which increases revenue to the serviceprovider. Service providers can influence bandwidth usage acrossdifferent regions of mobile network 100 to optimize overall bandwidthutilization and maximize revenues.

Example

FIG. 4 illustrates a CDMA network 400 in an exemplary embodiment. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that similar network architecturesmay be developed for GSM, IMS, and LTE networks. CDMA network 400includes a Radio Access Network

(RAN) 402, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 403, an SS7 network 404, aShort Message Service Center (SMS-C) 405, a rate notification system406, a location server 407, and a network phonebook 408. RAN 402includes a plurality of base stations 412 each providing a service areareferred to as a cell 413. Base stations 412 are each connected to basestation controller (BSC) 414, which is operable to manage and controlthe functions of base stations 412.

Rate notification system 406 is an application server and may be astandalone network element or integrated within a network chargingsystem (which provides subscriber account management and a ratingengine). As in the prior embodiment, rate notification system 406 isable to identify one or more regions within CDMA network 400 having lowbandwidth usage or high bandwidth usage. Rate notification system 406 isfurther able to notify one or more mobile devices within the region(s)of an adjusted charging rate for communications via different mediatypes (e.g., voice call, email, text message, multimedia message,Instant Message (IM)). A more thorough description of the operation ofrate notification system 406 is described in relation to FIG. 5.

Base station controller 414 also connects to a packet data network 410through Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN) 409. Rate notification system406 is also connected to packet data network 410. Thus, ratenotification system 406 is able to communicate with mobile devices inCDMA network 400 through the SS7 network 408 or the packet data network410.

FIG. 5 is a message diagram illustrating notification of adjustedcharging rates in an exemplary embodiment. Assume for this embodimentthat mobile communications are occurring within CDMA network 400. Forexample, mobile devices (such as mobile device 430) within the servicearea of RAN 402 may be placing or receiving voice calls, exchangingemail, exchanging text messages, exchanging multimedia messages,exchanging IM's, etc. Base station controller (BSC) 414 collects datafrom base stations 412 that indicates local utilization of bandwidthwithin CDMA network 400 by mobile devices registered within a region.For example, the data may be localized to a particular region or zoneindicated by a cell ID/sector ID. To retrieve the data, MSC 403 (or ratenotification system 406) may send a status request to base stationcontroller 414. Base station controller 414 then sends a report of thebandwidth usage data to MSC 403. The report may also include anindication as to which mobile devices are presently within a region orzone. MSC 403 processes the bandwidth usage data and compares it withthresholds (minimum or maximum) of mobile traffic to identify one ormore regions that exceed a threshold. If a region is identified thatexceeds a threshold, then MSC 403 determines whether a charging rateadjustment applies to these regions. For example, MSC 403 may processrules or policies defined by the service provider to determine whether aregion qualifies for a charging rate adjustment based on the bandwidthusage in the region. These rules and policies are defined by the serviceprovider and are programmed into rating engines in CDMA network 400. Forinstance, MSC 403 may include a rating engine that is programmed withthe rules or policies defining charging rate adjustments. If a region ofhigh or low bandwidth usage qualifies for a charging rate adjustment,then MSC 403 transmits the bandwidth usage data for the region to ratenotification system 406.

Rate notification system 406 receives the bandwidth usage data, andidentifies the region in CDMA network 400 having bandwidth usage thatexceeds the threshold. Rate notification system 406 also determineswhether this region of CDMA network 400 qualifies for a charging rateadjustment. If the region qualifies, rate notification system 406identifies one or more mobile devices 430 located within the region.Rate notification system 406 then initiates a process to broadcast anotification message to these mobile devices 430. To do so, ratenotification system 406 sends a (Wireless Application Protocol) WAP pushSMS to SMS-C 405 along with a list of mobile devices within the region.The WAP push SMS may include a text message indicating that a chargingrate will be adjusted for a time period. For example, the text messagemay state “Rates may be adjusted in your area for the next two hours”.

The WAP push SMS also includes a unique SMPP service type describing anaction or actions that a mobile device should execute. SMS-C 405 mapsthe service type in the WAP push SMS to a unique teleservice ID, andincludes the teleservice ID in the WAP push SMS, SMS-C 405 thenbroadcasts the WAP push SMS to mobile devices 430 in the region of CDMAnetwork 400 based on the list.

For the mobile devices 430 in the region, rate notification system 406identifies one or more contacts for the end users of the mobile devices.For example, rate notification system 406 identifies contacts for an enduser of mobile device 430. To do so, rate notification system 406 accessnetwork phonebook 408 that stores a contact list for the end user ofmobile device 430, and downloads the contact list for the end user. Ratenotification system 406 then accesses location server 407 to identifythe location of one or more of the contacts in the contact list. Ratenotification system 406 identifies the location of the contacts in orderto determine whether an adjusted charging rate applies for one or moreof the contacts. Rate notification system 406 then identifies anadjusted charging rate for communicating with one or more of thecontacts by accessing a rating engine. For example, MSC 403 may includea rating engine for CDMA network 400, and rate notification system 406may access the rating engine in MSC 403 to identify the adjustedcharging rates for the contacts.

In this embodiment, charging rate adjustments are determined on a permedia type basis. For example, if the bandwidth usage data indicatesthat voice call utilization is low in this region, then a charging rateadjustment may be made for voice calls. If the bandwidth usage dataindicates that text message utilization is low in this region, then acharging rate adjustment may be made for text messages. Thus, ratenotification system 406 identifies an adjusted charging rate per mediatype for communicating with one or more of the contacts.

Rate notification system 406 may include an application that provides aWAP service. The WAP service generates mobile web pages for the endusers of the mobile devices in the region. For example, ratenotification system 406 may generate a mobile web page for the end userof mobile device 430, such as in Wireless Markup Language (WML). The webpages include as content the adjusted charging rates per media type forcommunicating with one or more of the contacts of the end user. Thus,when a mobile device accesses the web page, the end user is able to viewthe adjusted charging rates.

When a mobile device 430 receives the WAP push SMS that was broadcast, aclient application (i.e., a WAP browser) running on mobile device 430processes the teleservice ID that was encoded in the SMS message. Inresponse to processing the teleservice ID, the client application maygive the end user the option of accessing WAP content, which comprisesthe adjusted charging rates. The teleservice ID may include a link to aWAP address. Thus, if the end user selects the option to access the WAPcontent, the client application sends a request for content over packetdata network 410 to the WAP address to access rate notification system406. The WAP address is for the web page generated for the end user ofmobile device 430. In response to the request for content, ratenotification system 406 transmits the web page to mobile device 430,which displays the content to the end user. The web page provided byrate notification system 406 will include adjusted charging rates forapplicable media types (e.g., voice calls, SMS, MMS, email, IM, etc).

FIG. 6 illustrates the adjusted charging rates displayed to the end userin an exemplary embodiment. In this example, four contacts are displayedalong with an adjusted charging rate per media type for a time period.For Contact 1, the adjusted charging rate for voice calls is 50 perminute until 8 p.m. (two hours). For Contact 2, the adjusted chargingrate for text messaging is 250 until 8 p.m. For Contact 3, the adjustedcharging rate for voice calls is 30 per minute until 8 p.m. For Contact4, the adjusted charging rate for multimedia messaging is 500 until 8p.m.

Assume for this example that the adjusted charging rates illustrated inFIG. 6 represent discounts in the charging rates. By notifying the enduser of mobile device 430 of the discounted rates, the end user may bemotivated to place a voice call to Contact 1 or Contact 3, send a textmessage to Contact 2, or send a multimedia message to Contact 4. Otherend users in this region of CDMA network 400 may be likewise motivatedto initiate communications with one or more of their contacts. Thus, ina region of otherwise low bandwidth utilization, the service provider ofCDMA network 400 can increase bandwidth usage by notifying the end usersof the discounted charging rates.

In an alternative example, rate notification system 406 may provide thecharging rate (whether is a normal rate or an adjusted rate) for allcontacts in the contact list. Thus, the end user may view the applicablecharging rate for each contact in the contact list.

Any of the various elements shown in the figures or described herein maybe implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or some combination ofthese. For example, an element may be implemented as dedicated hardware.Dedicated hardware elements may be referred to as “processors”,“controllers”, or some similar terminology. When provided by aprocessor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicatedprocessor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individualprocessors, some of which may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of theterm “processor” or “controller” should not be construed to referexclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and mayimplicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP)hardware, a network processor, application specific integrated circuit(ASIC) or other circuitry, field programmable gate array (FPGA), readonly memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM), nonvolatile storage, logic, or some other physical hardware component ormodule.

Also, an element may be implemented as instructions executable by aprocessor or a computer to perform the functions of the element. Someexamples of instructions are software, program code, and firmware. Theinstructions are operational when executed by the processor to directthe processor to perform the functions of the element. The instructionsmay be stored on storage devices that are readable by the processor.Some examples of the storage devices are digital or solid-statememories, magnetic storage media such as a magnetic disks and magnetictapes, hard drives, or optically readable digital data storage media.

Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope of theinvention is not limited to those specific embodiments. The scope of theinvention is defined by the following claims and any equivalents thereof

We claim:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a rate notification system for amobile network that provides mobile communications to mobile devicesthrough a plurality of media types; the rate notification systemincluding a processor configured to receive data from base stations ofthe mobile network indicating bandwidth usage of the mobile devices permedia type; the rate notification system is configured to identify aregion within the mobile network where the bandwidth usage exceeds athreshold based on the data, to identify a mobile device located in theregion, to determine adjusted charging rates applicable to the mobiledevice for communicating through the media types, and to provide anotification to the mobile device indicating the adjusted charging ratesfor communicating through the media types.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein: the rate notification system is configured to determine whetherthe region is eligible for a charging rate adjustment, and to determinethe adjusted charging rates applicable to the mobile device forcommunicating through the media types when the region is eligible. 3.The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: the rate notification system isconfigured to process policies defined by a service provider todetermine whether the region of the mobile network is eligible for thecharging rate adjustment.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the ratenotification system is configured to identify a plurality of contacts ofan end user of the mobile device, and to identify the adjusted chargingrates applicable to the mobile device for communicating with thecontacts through the media types.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein:the rate notification system is configured to receive a contact list ofthe end user from the mobile device, and to identify the contacts of theend user from the contact list.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein: therate notification system is configured to identify a network-basedphonebook of the end user, and to identify the contacts of the end userfrom the network-based phonebook.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein:the rate notification system is configured to identify a location of thecontacts, and to query a rating engine based on the location of thecontacts to determine the adjusted charging rates applicable to themobile device for communicating with the contacts through the mediatypes.
 8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein: the rate notification systemis configured to provide the notification to the mobile deviceindicating the adjusted charging rates for communicating with thecontacts on a per media type basis.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:the rate notification system is configured to generate a mobile web pagethat indicates the adjusted charging rates, and to broadcast a messageto the mobile device that includes an encoded service indication that isprogrammed to cause the mobile device to access the mobile web page overa packet data network.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the ratenotification system is configured to send a text message to the mobiledevice indicating the adjusted charging rates.
 11. A method in a mobilenetwork that provides mobile communications to mobile devices through aplurality of media types, the method comprising: receiving data frombase stations of the mobile network indicating bandwidth usage of themobile devices per media type; identifying a region within the mobilenetwork where the bandwidth usage exceeds a threshold based on the data;identifying a mobile device located in the region; determining adjustedcharging rates applicable to the mobile device for communicating throughthe media types; and providing a notification to the mobile deviceindicating the adjusted charging rates for communicating through themedia types.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising: determiningwhether the region is eligible for a charging rate adjustment; anddetermining the adjusted charging rates applicable to the mobile devicefor communicating through the media types when the region is eligible.13. The method of claim 12 wherein determining whether the region iseligible for a charging rate adjustment comprises: processing policiesdefined by a service provider to determine whether the region of themobile network is eligible for the charging rate adjustment.
 14. Themethod of claim 11 further comprising: identifying a plurality ofcontacts of an end user of the mobile device; and identifying theadjusted charging rates applicable to the mobile device forcommunicating with the contacts through the media types.
 15. The methodof claim 14 wherein identifying the contacts of the end user comprises:receiving a contact list of the end user from the mobile device; andidentifying the contacts of the end user from the contact list.
 16. Themethod of claim 14 wherein identifying the contacts of the end usercomprises: identifying a network-based phonebook of the end user; andidentifying the contacts of the end user from the network-basedphonebook.
 17. The method of claim 14 wherein determining the adjustedcharging rates applicable to the mobile device comprises: identifying alocation of the contacts; and querying a rating engine based on thelocation of the contacts to determine the adjusted charging ratesapplicable to the mobile device for communicating with the contactsthrough the media types.
 18. The method of claim 11 wherein providingthe notification to the mobile device comprises: providing thenotification to the mobile device indicating the adjusted charging ratesfor communicating with the contacts on a per media type basis.
 19. Themethod of claim 11 wherein providing the notification to the mobiledevice comprises: generating a mobile web page that indicates theadjusted charging rates; and broadcasting a message to the mobile devicethat includes an encoded service indication that is programmed to causethe mobile device to access the mobile web page over a packet datanetwork.
 20. The method of claim 11 wherein providing the notificationto the mobile device comprises: sending a text message to the mobiledevice indicating the adjusted charging rates.